Bangkok to Phuket by flight, bus, taxi, van from THB 784, May 2023 ✅ bangkok vs phuket
The easiest way to get to Phuket from Bangkok is fly. The flight takes just under an hour and a half, and with numerous flights from Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports, you’re never short of choices. It is almost always possible to snag an airline ticket for THB1000-THB2000. The land distance between Bangkok and Phuket is about 850 km. Thanks to the bridge that connects the mainland to the island, you can reach Phuket directly from Bangkok bus. It takes a while – between 12pm and 2pm – but remains a top choice for budget-conscious travelers with ticket prices starting at 600 THB. Although there is no train station in Phuket, the combination train-and-bus traveling via Suratthani is also an option to consider, especially for rail travel enthusiasts, but expect the total travel time to be quite long – usually no less than 16 hours.
From Bangkok to Phuket by bus
Buses from Bangkok to Phuket depart from the South Bus Terminal, Sai Tai Mai. It is located on Phutthamonthon Sai Road in Thonburi District on the west side of the Chao Phraya River and is easily accessible by taxi. The route is served by a number of companies including Phuket travel and Bus express. You can choose between express buses (THB660-THB690) and VIP24 (1000THB). In VIP24 there are 3 seats per row, which means more room for your legs and elbows. All buses provide snacks, air conditioning and blankets and make several stops along the route at large gas stations with shops, cafes and toilets. There are early morning buses at 6.30am and 6.40am and a wide variety of afternoon and evening departures from 2.30pm to 9.30pm. All of them cover the distance between Bangkok and Phuket in about 13 hours. There are also buses from Bangkok’s northern bus terminal, Morchit.
Buses from Bangkok arrive at the recently built Bus station 2 Bo-Ko-So terminal which is located some four km north of the center of Phuket Town. The terminal also serves buses to/from many cities in southern Thailand.
Advice: During the peak season, it is recommended to book tickets in advance.
From Bangkok to Phuket by train
There are no direct trains from Bangkok to Phuket, the nearest transfer point is Suratthani. Trains from Bangkok to Surat Thani get out of Hua Lamphong train station in Bangkok, easily accessible from the MRT subway. By far the most convenient train is the night train #85 which departs at 19:30 and arrives in Suratthani at 7:10, but you have many other options. You can choose a 1st or 2nd class bedroom, both are air-conditioned and provide enough privacy and comfort for an overnight journey. The price is approximately 1550 THB and 1000 THB.
Suratthani railway station is located in Phun Phin town, some 15 km away. From there there are regular buses to Suratthani and other southern destinations, including Phuket. You can plan your combined trip yourself or opt for a joint train+bus ticket. If you book a joint train and bus ticket from Bangkok to Phuket, you can catch the standard air conditioner at 7.45 PhantipTravel bus to Phuket (THB 250, almost 4 hours).
Note that traveling by train/bus combination from Bangkok to Phuket takes longer than traveling by direct bus from Bangkok South Bus Terminal (15½ hours compared to 13 hours), but you can sleep more comfortably when traveling by rail. Both 1st (THB1550) and 2nd class (THB1000) air-conditioned carriages give you plenty of privacy, so a longer journey might turn out to be a better choice at the end of the day.
Why go to Phuket?
Love it or hate it: The Pearl of the Andaman is over-developed, over-commercialized, too-modern and, well, sometimes – too-expensive. Nevertheless, its sandy beaches, modern spas, outstanding diving spots and high-class restaurants continue to lure hordes of tourists from literally every corner of the world. There are endless opportunities for adventure – from diving or surfing to yachting and kayaking, and if you want to taste the true cosmopolitan flavor of the island, spend some time exploring Phuket Town’s streets lined with cafes and art galleries, modern affordable guesthouses and magnificent Sino-Portuguese villas. Be prepared to pay more for food, accommodation and transport than at any other Thai resort or island, relax and simply enjoy your experience.
Being the largest island in Thailand, Phuket sometimes doesn’t feel like an island at all: even getting there from the mainland doesn’t require any sea travel. The 700-meter-long Saphan Thepkasattri connected the northernmost tip of Phuket to Phang Nga province on the mainland in 2011. It runs parallel to the smaller Saphan Sarasin, which was built in 1967 to replace the ferry link to the island and now serves as a pedestrian bridge.
Island hopping from Phuket
Although Phuket sometimes lacks that typical island atmosphere, it still provides a good opportunity to taste some of the other ‘real’ islands. Just choose your destination and start island hopping.
From Phuket to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao
Lomprayah offers a combined bus and fast ferry service from Phuket to the Gulf Islands. The entire journey takes 6½ hours to Koh Samui, 7½ hours to Koh Phangan and 8¾ hours to Koh Tao.
From Phuket to Koh Phi-Phi
During peak season there are between 5 and 6 ferries per day Phuket to the pristine island of Phi Phi. Although today it is increasingly developed, the landscape fortunately remains nothing short of breathtaking.
From Phuket to Koh Lanta, the islands of Trang and Koh Lipe
Ferries that go from Phuket to Koh Lanta, Trang Islands and Koh Lipe connect via Koh Phi-Phi. Be prepared to jump from one boat to another which is sometimes a bit of a nervous experience.
**Tip: If you are prone to seasickness, have the necessary medication on hand.
Want something different? Visit Phang Nga and Khao Lak
Lush jungles and impressive karst formations of the mainland and spectacular islands that line pristine sea waters, secret caves and beautiful beaches without the excessive glamor of Phuket, but with enough content to feel comfortable during your vacation await you in Phang Nga province. If you want fewer people on the beach, head to Khao Lak, which also serves as a great base for exploring further inland.
Lignite the bus company operates buses to and from Phang Nga city and Khao Lak from Bangkok South Bus Terminal. There are night Express, VIP and VIP24 buses to Phang Nga – all depart around 7pm; tickets cost from 600 to 970 baht depending on the type of bus you choose. Please note that the 18:40 Lignita express bus goes directly to Phang Nga and does not call at Khao Lak. For Khao Lak, use VIP and VIP24 which depart at 19:05. Travel time is about 10¼ hours.
You can also get to Khao Lak directly from Phuket Airport. PGS the company offers a Toyota Camry for 3 people at the price of 1920 baht from Phuket Airport to Khao Lak. Transit time is about two hours and the price is all-inclusive.
Getting around in Phuket
Phuket Taxi they are known for their high prices. Public transport is limited and takes the form of huge trucks. They cruise between Phuket Town and the beaches, which is terribly inconvenient as in most cases you need to connect through Phuket Town to go from one beach to another, and the journey ends up taking hours.
Motorcycles and scooters are a good way to get around. Most rental shops will require your passport, which they keep until you return the rental vehicle. It is not unheard of for renters to insist on compensation for ‘damage’ to their scooters; so check carefully what you rent and take photos of any scratches you find before you do. The daily price for a scooter is around 200-300 THB. Larger bikes are also available for rent.
Car rental is a good option that gives you freedom and security. A car can usually be rented for around 1,200 baht per day, but in the off-season prices sometimes drop below 800 baht. Cheap car rental companies can be found in Thanon Rasada. Local companies usually offer better prices, but sometimes you can find online promotions when booking with global operators.
